Blue Bloods by Melissa de La Cruz Page A

felt just as sober as before, although she smiled and pretended to feel its effects.
    They stood tentatively at the edge of the party, nursing their silver cups of organic fruit punch, trying to pretend that it didn’t bother either of them that no one had called them over or waved hello or made any indication at all that they were welcome at the event. Schuyler looked around at the cozy groups forming around cocktail tables, smoking on the balcony, or posing for pictures in front of the piano, and real ized that, even though she’d known most of these people for almost all of her life, she didn’t belong anywhere. It was amazing how even Dylan had managed to find a place for himself, with a popular girlfriend no less, while she and Oliver were just left with each other once again.
    ” Wannadance?” Oliver asked, cocking a thumb to the dark room.
    She shook her head. “Nah.”
    ” Wannago instead?” Oliver asked, having come to the same conclusion. “We could go back to The Bank—I bet they’re playing better music.”
    Schuyler was torn. On the one hand, she and Oliver had every right to be there—they were Duchesne students, too— but on the other hand, maybe it was best if they just crept away silently; and maybe with luck no one would even notice they had been there at all.
    Oliver’s mouth twisted in a strained smile. “This is my fault.”
    “No—not at all.I wanted to be here,” Schuyler pro tested. “But you’re right, we should probably go.”
    They walked down the grand red-carpeted staircase, where Jack Force was standing on the last step, talking to Kitty Muffins. Schuyler held her breath and walked toward the front door without looking at him. She clutched Oliver’s arm tightly.
    “Leaving so soon?” Jack called.
    She turned around. Kitty Mullins was gone, and Jack was leaning against the banister all by himself. He was wear ing a custom French cuffed white shirt, with the front tucked in but the shirttails characteristically hanging out, with crisp khaki pants and a carelessly unbuttoned navy blazer. His tie was askew and he looked nothing less than drop-dead gor geous. He fiddled with the cuff link on his right wrist.
    “We were just about to.” She shrugged, smiling in spite of herself.
    “Why don’t you stay?” Jack asked, smiling back and look ing straight into her eyes. “You might have fun.”
    For a moment, Schuyler forgot Oliver was standing next to her, so when he spoke, she was startled. Oliver looked down at her, his face deliberately blank. “I think I’m going to get another drink. Want to join me?”
    Schuyler didn’t answer, and for an interminable moment, the three of them stood in an awkward triangle. “I, ah, I’m not thirsty, so I’ll catch you later, Ollie. All right?” she pleaded.
    Oliver frowned, but he didn’t protest, and walked quickly back up the stairs.
    Schuyler crossed her arms. What was it about Jack Force? All week after they’d spoken at the funeral, he’d hardly said a word to her, but now he was seeking her out again? Why did she even bother giving him the time of day?
    Jack walked up and put an arm around her. “C’mon, let’s dance. I think I hear my song.”
    She allowed herself to be led up the stairs, and this time, heads turned when the crowd spotted the two of them enter the room. Schuyler noted the jealous admiration from the girls, and several guys gave her a respectful glance. She had been invisible just a minute ago, but being in Jack’s presence changed all that. He drew her closer, and she swayed to the music. The room was thrumming to the sexy, hypnotic beat of Muse’s “Time Is Running Out.” I think I’m drowning, asphyxiated… She slithered her body next to his, feeling beads of sweat and perspiration on his shirt that the heat between the two of them was generating.

SIXTEEN
    Her parents were on their way out. Mimi stood in her bedroom and listened to the sound of her mother’s heels on the marble floor, followed